Feltham school to compile exciting funfair book

A TERM-TIME project has inspired pupils and staff at a Feltham primary school to create a book about a well-loved funfair.

Year 6 students at Fairholme School, Peacock Avenue, are taking on the task of compiling a book of memories about the fair, which has been visiting Bedfont Green twice a year for around 100 years.

The students are currently focusing on a 10 week unit called 'circus' and will be learning performance skills among other tasks. They are now thinking ahead to next summer's task 'fairs and fairgrounds' and have put out an appeal to residents for memories and photographs of the fair.

Head teacher Ken Noakes is co-ordinating the compilation of the book, he said: "Because the fair comes to Bedfont Green twice a year we thought we would ask the local residents of Bedfont what their earliest memories are of the fair on Bedfont Green.

"At the moment we haven’t got the project started. This is to get us off to a flying start before the fair returns in June next year. The children will be making fairground models, writing stories/poems, doing art work, taking photos etc."

Mr Noakes is speaking to Jimmy Noyce, who is involved with the running of the fair now. An attraction called 'Noyce's Gallopers' was owned by his grandfather.

The school has written to all parents and is also putting its appeal out with The Chronicle in a bid to get as many cherished memories as possible.

Local historian Eddie Menday, who is heavily involved with the Feltham History Group, said: "It is known locally as the Bedfont Fair, I know that a long time ago it was visited by people on their way to Ascot, and if they did well, on their way back too.

"I think it's a wonderful thing that they are doing, and if they need help they are more than welcome to contact us."

Mr Noakes said: "I have spoken to Jimmy Noyce and hopefully he will bring Noyce’s Gallopers to the fair next year. The gallopers are Victorian and are fantastic, such beautiful carvings and decorations, and so old. We are going to ask him either to bring them to put on the school field next June or for Year 6 to visit them when they are on the green during the daytime."

The pupils would like to hear people's favourite memories of the fair, their best and worst experiences and how it has changed over the years.

Photos of the fair would also be gratefully received.

Anyone who can help is invited to email head@fairholme.hounslow.sch.uk or call 0208 890 2584.